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The parking area we stopped in was very well kept, but I could tell it was not the employee parking lot. There was a gate and guard at the front, and the entire property was surrounded by fencing. I got out after Ruby and took her hand, walking across the parking lot toward Chris. We followed him along the building to the door where we would meet the guide. I looked up the side of the building at the large nets hanging down. I had read about those, though I thought they were in Japan. Those were nets that would catch employees when they tried to commit suicide. Immediately I did not like the idea of outsourcing in the least bit, and I thought about the conditions these people must endure to reach that kind of place in their lives. There was no way I was going to let my company take on that kind of moral dilemma, especially since it was halfway around the world and barely in my control. The company in India would handle the workers, and I would never even know who worked there.
We walked in the front door and met the guide who took us on a tour of the facility. It was obvious they tried to clean as much as they could, but I could still see the dark footprints that trekked up and down the floors. The guide showed us all the areas of the IT “factory building” that we would be utilizing if we chose to outsource our work. I kept glancing down at Ruby who looked more and more confused as to why we were there. I knew I would have the discussion with her later, but right then was not the right time. I was pretty sure she sensed that something was weird since she was walking quietly behind me at all times.
When we were done with the tour, I let Chris handle the wrap-up and walked with Ruby back outside. I didn’t even realize there was a strange smell in the building until the fresh air hit my face. What a way to have these people work. I couldn’t even imagine what the factories that were considered the bad ones were like. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, letting the hot sun beat down on my face. I could feel Ruby walk in close to me and put her arms around my waist, squeezing me tightly. I knew she was going to have questions, I was just hoping we could make it away from this place before I started to try to answer them. I opened my eyes and looked down at her smiling as I rubbed her back.
“Nathan,” she said pulling away. “Why are we here? He was talking about people working here, the capacity for computers, and a bunch of things I didn’t understand.”
“Can you trust me on this and I’ll explain everything when we get out of here?”
“Yeah,” she said suspiciously. “I can do that.”
Chris walked around the corner and sighed shaking his head. I gave him a death glare, but he seemed to not be phased by it. I looked over at Ruby and back at Chris, waiting for someone to say something.
“What are you guys up to the rest of the day?”
“I’m not sure,” I said, glad that he changed the subject. “Maybe some sightseeing, or some food.”
“I’m going to head back to New York,” he said. “I’ll send the jet back when I get there.”
“Sounds good,” I said shaking his head.
“Hey,” Ruby called, still standing by the building and looking up. “What are those huge nets for?”
“This work can be tedious,” Chris responded. “It’s for the employee’s safety.”
“What kind of factory is this?”
“An IT outsourcing building,” Chris said without much thought.
“Wait, what?”
“Ruby, let’s just get going, and I’ll explain.”
“No,” she said, instantly angry. “I thought you cared about the morality of your company, Nathan! How could you even look at something like this? And you brought me here? Are you kidding me? I can’t believe you would do this.”
“Ruby, please,” I said chasing after her.
“Ride with Chris,” she barked turning around and stopping me in my tracks. “I’m going home. Don’t follow me.”
With those words, she jogged to one of the two cars parked in the parking lot and got inside. The driver looked confused and got into the driver’s seat, hesitating for a moment and then pulling off. I stood there in complete shock, unsure of what to do from there.
“Dude,” Chris said. “I’m sorry, I didn’t even think.”
“It’s not your fault,” I said. “I should have never lied in the first place.”
Chapter Eighteen
Ruby
I wasted no time heading straight to the hotel and grabbing my luggage. I didn’t want Nathan to track me easily so I told the driver I would take a cab from the hotel. I went to the penthouse and gathered all my things, piling them into my suitcase. I knew that I should be hurt but all I could feel at that moment was anger and I needed to go home. I couldn’t believe I thought he was an ethical corporate owner. I guess I was too blind from caring for him so much and I missed the signs. I knew he didn’t know about my involvement with the protests, but he had to know I would not be okay with outsourcing at all. It didn’t take much to read who I was.
When my bags were packed, I jumped into a cab and took it to the airport. I stood at the counter for a while, but they were finally able to book me on a flight back home. It didn’t leave for an hour, so I made it through customs and grabbed a cup of coffee from the Starbucks on site. I found my gate and sat down in a chair, staring out the large floor to ceiling windows that overlooked the runway. Planes w
ere arriving and others taking off. I pulled out my phone and dialed my sister’s number, needing someone’s guidance, or at least an ear to talk to. It would be expensive, but I felt so alone and upset.
“Hello?”
“Hey sis,” I said with a sigh.
